The GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count is just around the corner and LEAF is delighted to support this fantastic initiative. The organisation is urging all its members to take part. It is a great opportunity to show the impact Integrated Farm Management is having on the numbers and diversity of farmland birds and to show what can be achieved by the adoption of simple management techniques to improve habitats and bird numbers.

Farmers and gamekeepers play a vital role in the survival of farmland birds. The Big Farmland Bird Count gives them an opportunity to show what their conservation efforts are delivering on the ground.

More than 500 farmers, representing nearly half a million acres of UK farmland took part in the inaugural count in 2014 and it is hoped that many more will get involved in this year’s count which takes place between the February 7 to 15. 

Farmers just need to spend 30 minutes recording the species and number of birds seen on one particular area of the farm. To help farmers and gamekeepers improve their identification skills ahead of the event, 10 Farmland Bird Identification Days are taking place across the UK in January.

There are still a few places remaining at some of the ID Days bit if you don’t manage to get along to an ID Day, the GWCT in collaboration with the RSPB, have produced a great Farmland Bird ID Guide containing images and descriptions of some of the main farmland birds.

This really is a great opportunity for farmers across the UK to showcase the great conservation work being undertaken. Visit www.gwct.org.uk/farming/big-farmland-bird-count for more information or to book an ID day